RAMATIC LIBRARY 

" • ' ^'- 134 

PS 3089 

.T33 L6 /KJ 

Copy 1 K^ 



July 21, 1898 PUBLISHED WEEKLY 

Subscription Price, $7.50 



, ^p^-^^^ 




Uoy^iu 



p Pena Publishing (pinpau^'i? 

Philadelphia 



ENTERED AT THE PHILADELPHIA POST OFFICE AS SECOND CLASS MATTER 



SHOEMAKER'S 

FOR 

READINGS AND RECITATIONS 

Numbers 1 to 26 Now Issued 

Paper Binding, each number, - - 30 cents 
Cloth *' '* «' . . . 50 ** 

This series was formerly called **The Elocutionist's 
Annual," the first 17 numbers being published under 
that title. The change in name is made because it is 
believed a more appropriate title is thus secured. 

Teachers, Readers, Students, and all persons who 
have occasion to use books of this kind, concede this 
to be the best series of speakers published. The differ- 
ent numbers are compiled by leading elocutionists of 
the country, who have exceptional facilities for securing 
selections, and whose judgment as to their merits is in- 
valuable. No trouble or expense is spared to obtain the 
very best readings and recitations, and much material is 
used by special arrangement with other publishers, thus 
securing the best selections from such American authors 
as Longfellow, Holmes, Whitlier, Lowell, Emerson, 
Alice and Phcebe Gary, Mrs. Stowe, and many others. 
The foremost English authors are also represented, as 
well as the leading French and German writers. 

Sold by all Booksellers and Newsdealers, or mailed 
upon receipt of price. 

XHE PKKK PIJBI^ISHIKG COBIPAnSir 
923 Arcb Street 

Plilladelplila 



A LOYAL FRIEND 



A Comedy-Drama in Four Acts 



By 

Charles Townsend 

Author of ** A White Mountain Boy,*' ** Four A. M./' ** A Fanaily 
Affair/' Etc. 



AUTHOR'S EDITION 



With Cast of Characters, Time of Representation, Synopsis, Descrip- 
tion of Costumes, Scene and Property Plots, Entrances and 

Exits, and all of the Stage Business-——'- — ■ — •^--^^ 

,N v\ ■ !i J t" L -J a i f- p T^'-'^^ 

O-^^ OFFICE CF THL ^^ 



13 



-■ OFFICE Cf THL ^^ \ 

7 09^17 1898) 



■ ■■■ ^ 

Philadelphia 

The Penn Publishing Company 

^898 






Copyright 1898 by The Penn Publishing Company 




/fO. 



A LOYAL FRIEND 



The acting rights of " A Loyal Friend " are reserved by the author, from 

whom permission to present the play must be secured. This 

notice applies to professional performances only 



CAST OF CHARACTERS 
Royal Playford, everybody's friend . . Character Lead 
Gilbert Fanshaw, a newspaper man . . Juve?iile Man 
Raymon Alvarez, a Spanish diplomat . Leading Heavy 
O'Kelly, *' wan o' the ould sod "... Comedy Old Man 

Nubbins, the baker's boy Utility 

Monte, Alvarez' servant Utility 

Arthur Fanshaw, Gilbert's son, age 7 Child 

Mrs. Milly Merryman, a jolly young widow . . . Lead 

Sylvia Fanshaw, her sister Juvenile Lady 

Mrs. Griggins (afterwards O'Kelly), " a widdy " 

Character 

Time — The present. 

Location — New York and Florida. 

Time of Playing — Two hours. 



SYNOPSIS 
Act I — The Broken Home. " Dead to me !" 
Act II — Balking a Villain. " If you do, I'll cowhide 
you." 

Act III — Tightening the Coils. " Not to-day, my 
boy." 

Act IV — The Rescue. " I've repelled a Spanish inva- 



Notk.— Some of the incidents of this play, including Sylvia's flight and 
subsequent return, were suggested by La Maison du Mart, to the author of 
which I take pleasure in giving due credit. The Author 



COSTUMES 

Royal. Acts I and II — Rich and elegant summer dress, 
suitable for country wear. Act III — Light sack suit. Act 
IV — Evening dress. All costumes may be slightly eccen- 
tric. Wears overcoat in last entrance, Act IV. 

Gilbert — Same general style as Royal's, but much 
quieter. 

Raymon — Act I — Light summer dress. Act II — Frock 
suit. Act III — Sack suit. Act IV — Black frock, slouch 
hat. 

O'Kelly — Modern throughout. In last act wears ill- 
fitting evening dress. 

Nubbins — Modern. 

Monte — Mode rn. 

Arthur — Modern. 

MiLLY — Acts I, II, III — Pretty house dress. No change 
between first two acts. Act IV — Ball dress. 

Sylvia — House dress throughout. No change between 
first two acts. 

Mrs. Griggins — House dress until last act, then change 
to loud and exaggerated ball dress. 



PROPERTIES. 



Act I — Basket and bread, letter in envelope, telegram ; 
writing materials on table. 

Act II — Lawn tent, dress suit case, valise, hat box, pipe 
and tobacco. 

Act III — Newspaper, coin, cigar and matches, watch, 
dagger. 

Act IV — Handsome lamp, revolver, 
4 



SCENE PLOT 

Act I 

Scene — Parlor in 4th grooves. Interior backing. Car- 
pet down. Lights on. Time, morning. Set as per 
diagram. 

r 




ACT I 



Act II 

Scene — Summer landscape on flat in 5th grooves. Grass 
cloth down. Lights full on. Time, morning. Set as 
indicated. 




ACT II 



A LOYAL FRIEND 



Acts III and IV 



Scene — Plain parlor in .3d grooves, with semi-tropical 
landscape backing in 5th grooves. Set as indicated. 




Act IV has same set, except that lighted lamp is on 
table, or piano lamp stands near table. 



A LOYAL FRIEND 



ACT I 

SC'E^'^-Comfortably furnished parlor 171 fourth grooves. 

See scene plot Exterior backing--S2anmer ^^^fscape-- 

in fifth grooves. Sofa i., front. Table K front Carpet 

and rugs. Lights on. Time,mor7iing. Doors c, R. i E., 

L. u. E., and L. I E. 
(At rise of curtain enter O'Kelly ^;^^ Nubbins, c. Nubbins 
has basket and bread) 

O'Kelly. Now phwat air ye bringin' thot in here for? 

Nubbins Nobody 'round at the kitchen. 

O'Kelly. Thin ye should hev kirn again. 

Nubbins. Not on yer hfe. I don't make no double trips 

to-day. 

O'Kelly. Indade, and why not ? 
Nubbins. Why not? Didn't you hear ? 
O'Kelly. Well— what? , . ^ a v^ 

Nubbins. There's a game o' ball this afternoon and I m 
in the box for the " Holy Terrors," see ? Ketch HTosses 
basket to O'Kelly, which strikes him in stomach, knocking 
him do7vn. Nubbins runs out c.) .„ r ^ • ^ ,,o \r.^^ 

O'Kelly Here, you ! Come back till I drive ye into 
the gro'md wid a club ! {At c. d. shakes fist) I'll break the 
face all aff ye ! 

(Mrs Griggins enters c., meets O'Kelly /^^^ to face. He 
dowly retreats backward toward i.. front. She follows him. 
arms akimbo) 

Mrs. Griggins. {down i.. front) Will ye, now? Ah, now, 
why don't ye. eh ? Why don't ye ? 

O'Kelly. Ah, Mrs. Griggins, ye know— 
Mrs. Griggins. Yis, I do know. Ye're always talkin 
foight, but ye wouldn't tackle a chicken. 
O'Kelly. Nor an ould hin, ayther. 
Mrs. Griggins. {angrily) Do yez be callin me an ould 
hin ? Eh ? Eh ? Av ye do \\\— {raises hand). 

0'Ko.LY. {on knees) Divil a wance did I, an' I'm sorry 

that I did. 

7 



8 A LOYAL FRIEND 

Mrs. Griggins. (a^osses) Ah, ye're a beauty. 

O'Kelly. {s^t/l on kfieeSy aside) I wonder how she found 
that out ? 

Mrs. Griggins. Don't be sprawHn' around hke that. 
Get up. {He rises) Go down to the post-office for the mail. 
Mrs. Fanshaw is anxious. 

O'Kelly. Wants to hear from her newspaper-writin' 
husband 'way aff among thim African nagurs. 

Mrs. Griggins. He's not, He's the New York Herald 
war correspondent wid the ItaUan army. 

O'Kelly. Think o' that, now. 

Arthur. (^# c, <:^//^) O'Kel—ly! Ho! Ho— o! 

O'Kelly. {repeats) Mr. Ar— tie ! Ho ! Ho— o ! 

(Arthur rtms on c.) 

Arthur. O'Kelly! {backs down c. holding O'Kelly's 
hands) Give me a ride. 

O'Kelly. {picks him up, carries him o?i shoulder) Thare 
ye go ! 

Arthur. I want to go to the post-office with you, 
O'Kelly. 

O'Kelly. So ye shall. 

Arthur. Whoa — up ! Set me right. 

O'Kelly. {puts Arthur astride shoulders) Thare ye 
air ! 

Arthur. Gee up, hossy ! G'lang, g'lang ! 

O'Kelly. {trots up, c.) Aisy wid ye're heels ! Stop 
kickin', ye omadhoun. 

{Exit, c.) 

Mrs. Griggins. A pair of kids, if ever thare was 
wan ! An' which is the kiddiest kid nobody kin tell. 

{E?iter MiLLY, l. u. e.) 

MiLLY. Has my sister been down yet ? 

Mrs. Griggins. No, Mrs. Merryman, she said she didn't 
want any breakfast this mornin', sorry the day. 

MiLLY. Is she ill ? 

Mrs, Griggins. Oh, no, mem ! Just blue, loike, I do 
be thinkin'. 

{Exit, R. I e.) 

Milly. Blue I Blue ! That sounds cheerful. 

{Enter Sylvia, l. u. e.) 

Milly. Ah, here she is at last ! Good-morning, Sylvia, 
Sylvia, {sadly) Good-morning. {Sits, l.) 



A LOYAL FRIEND 9 

MiLLY. {same tone) Good-morning ! You are as cheerful 
as a Quaker meeting. {Sits, r.) 

Sylvia. I am as cheerful as I feel. 

MiLLY. Well, you look it. 

Sylvia. Oh, Milly! I am so utterly wretched. 

MiLLY. No, you're not ; you're the happiest woman liv- 
ing. You have a good husband, good home, good health, 
— a lovely child — plenty of friends — what more can you 
want ? 

Sylvia. Something that you care nothing about, but 
which is all the world to me. 

MiLLY. [clapping hands) A riddle ! A riddle ! Un- 
ravel it. 

Sylvia. I am not happy, Milly, and you know it. Gil- 
bert's work on that wretched paper keeps him constantly 
on the move. It is more than a year since I have seen him, 
and when he does return he will shut himself up in his 
library and do nothing but write, write, write. 

Milly, Yes, and his write, write, writing gives you 
comforts, and even luxuries, of which we never even 
dreamed in our childhood days — those dark days when a 
bit of ribbon was a luxury and a new dress the dream of a 
year. 

Sylvia. I care nothing for that. Had my husband been 
penniless I would have shared his poverty gladly, willingly, 
had he given me the love and sympathy that my heart 
craves. 

Milly. Love and sympathy ! Skim milk and moon- 
shine ! My dear, your husband is a man of whom any 
woman might be proud. He is no Claude Melnotte, no 
fascinating idiot with a head full of airy schemes and 
pockets full of unpaid bills. He is just a level-headed news- 
paper man, who earns a tidy sum every year, and whose 
wife and child are all the world to him. 

Sylvia. And who leaves me alone month after month 
with never a word of sympathy. 

Milly. Sympathy ? That is twice you have used that 
stupid word this morning. My dear Sylvia, listen to me, 
and imagine it is your mother's voice. When a wife with a 
brave, loving manly husband like yours, begins to crave 
sympathy, she is treading on dangerous ground. 

Sylvia, {aiigrily) Mildred ! What do you mean ? 

Milly. {coolly) Just what I say. Because your husband 
is not ever at your side, because he is not a man to fill your 
romantic mind with soft flattery, you turn for sympathy 
to— 



lO A LOYAL FRIEND 

Sylvia, {quickly) To whom ? 

MiLLY. To anybody — and then you revel in tears and 
happiness. Now, if you were a poor, lone widow, like me, 
there might be some sense in being miserable. But you 
have no excuse. Apropos, have you seen or heard any- 
thing of our delightful Spanish friend, Senor Alvarez, of 
late ? 

Sylvia. Nothing whatever. He left without even 
saying good-bye. {Crosses to r.) 

Milly. Strange, isn't it. And he was so devoted, so 
sympathetic. {Down, l.) So very, very kind ! 

Sylvia. Ah ! {turns aside impatie7itly^ 

Milly. Well, he's gone, and in good time, or I should 
have cabled Gilbert to return. 

Sylvia. Why ? 

Milly. Because that foreigner's devotion to you was 
becoming notorious, and you, alone, were blind to it. Gil- 
bert may return at any time, and then — Well, I'm glad 
the Spaniard has gone. 

{Enter O'Kelly, c, carryitig Arthur on shoulders.) 

Arthur. Gee up, hossy! Whoap ! {Slips down to 
floor) 

O'Kelly. Ali, ye young rascal, me back is bruck, an' 
there wasn't any letters for you, mum {to Sylvia), but here 
is wan letter for you, mum. {Gives letter to Milly, and 
exits with Arthur, c.) 

Sylvia. No letter ; as I expected ! 

Milly. Don't worry. He may wish to surprise you 
{opening letter). Here's jolly news, anyhow. 

Sylvia. From whom ? 

Milly. Listen, {reads) " Dear Mrs. Merryman : I've 
just got back from London — beastly town — located in Eng- 
land — capital or something — famous for fogs and scandals. 
I'm going to drop in to see you, so if you get this before I 
come, you'll know I'm here. If not, you'll see me before 
you know it. Your devoted Royal Playford." He will 
probably propose this time — if he can find words. If not, 
I'll have to do it for him. 

Sylvia. And you will accept him ? 

Milly. I believe I will. 

Sylvia. But he is so different — so — 

Milly. Exactly. I want a different man. You need 
some one to protect you, while I — well, I want some one 
whom I can protect. 

Sylvia. I wouldn't marry a fool ! 



A LOYAL FRIEND II 

MiLLY. Be careful now, Sylvia. Roy; 1 Playford is no 
fool. True, he thinks and speaks slowly ; but when he has 
to assert himself he can be quick and forcible enough. See 
how he thrashed that loafer who insulted me one night, 
and remember he "saved Arthur's life by strangling that 
mad dog when everybody else ran away. 

Sylvia. Yes, I do remember, 

MiLLY. He is a brave, loyal friend, and I intend to 
marry him if I have to pop the question myself. 

Sylvia, {half aside) No letter yet — not a word from 
my husband. 

MiLLY. Now don't be unreasonable. 

Royal, {offc.) So glad, don't you know — really. 

MiLLY. Here he comes. Now be cheerful. 

{Enter Royal, c) 

Royal. I walked right in, you know. Awfully glad to 
see you. {Shakes hands with Sylvia.) You get my letter? 
{Shakes hands with Milly.) Yes ? That's nice, I ccause if 
I'd got here before my letter you wouldn't have known 
whether I was here or not until I got here. {Djo'ing above 
speech shakes hands again ivith Sylvia, then i^et7n'?is qvickly 
to Milly, and rapidly shakes first her right, then her left, 
theri her right hand agaiti) 

Milly. Don't distress yourself, but when you get quite 
through with my hand — 

Royal. Excuse me — yes — but I'd like to keep it forever. 
{Crosses quickly.) There ! I almost said something then. 

Sylvia, {seated, l.) Did you have a pleasant trip 
across ? 

Royal. {standi?tg, c.) No. 

Milly. {seated, r.) Were you sick ? 

Royal. Yes — awfully. Steward asked if he could fetch 
anything. Told him to bring me a continent or an island. 

Milly. Did he do it ? 

Royal. No — said they hadn't any. Then I told him to 
sink the ship — but he wouldn't even do that. 

Milly. What a shame ! 

Royal. Yes — but afterward I was really glad he didn't, 
don't you know. 

Milly. Why? 

Royal. Because we were in the middle of the Atlantic, 
and it would have been a long swim to get back to you. 
{Aside) I almost did say something then. 

Milly. He's finding his tongue at last. {Alotid) Do 
you like orchids ? 



12 A LOYAL FRIEND 

Royal. Oh, yes. {Aside) I wonder what the deuce they 
are. 

MiLLY. Come out and look at ours. We have some 
beauties. 

Royal. So glad, I'm sure. {Aside) Now I will say 
something, or die in the attempt. ( They exit, r.) 

Sylvia. She suspects me. Her words, her very looks 
tell me that. And yet I have done no wrong. It is not my 
fault that Raymon loves me, while my own husband leaves 
me here to wear out my heart alone. The world, the hard, 
cruel world, makes no allowance for all the temptation that 
a woman undergoes, but is only too ready to condemn 
without reason. {Crosses y goes up, then down stage nerv- 
ously^ I cannot endure this life — it is wearing my very 
heart out. But what can I do — where can I go? I am 
bound for life in chains that cannot be loosened. Oh, my 
heart is breaking; my heart is breaking! {Sits at table 
with bowed head?) 

{Enter Alvarez, c. Pauses) 

Alvarez. Sylvia ! 

Sylvia, {startled) Raymon ! 

Alvarez. Hush ! 

Sylvia. You said you were going — that you would not 
return. 

Alvarez. And I am going — going to leave here for- 
ever. But when I bade you a seeming farewell it was in 
the presence of others. I could not speak as my heart 
prompted — I scarcely dared trust my voice at all lest it 
should betray me. I have returned once more to say fare- 
well — if, indeed, it be farewell — to you alone, and — forever. 

Sylvia. Forever ? {Rises.) 

Alvarez. You regret — you do not wish me to go ? Tell 
me, tell me that you do not ! Only say the word, and 
nothing — 

Sylvia. No, no ! Go — go at once ! 

Alvarez. And alone ? 

Sylvia. Don't you understand — can't you see ? Go — it 
is my command ! 

Alvarez. You have spoken. Good-bye, then — for the 
last time, good-bye. 

{Enter Milly, c, quickly, with open telegram^ followed by 
Royal.) 

Milly. You here again ? 

Alvarez. I was bidding Mrs. Fanshaw good-bye. 



A LOYAL FRIEND 13 

MiLLY. I'm glad of that. {Looks at hini) Good-bye. 
(Pause) \ said good-bye. 

Royal. How do, Alvarez. Going away ? 

Alvarez. Yes, sir ; I am going away. 

Royal. Cuba ? . , • , 

Alvarez. No, sir. What a stupid question ! 

MiLLY. icduho has been showing telegram to Sylvia) bo 
Gilbert will arrive in a few minutes. Will you come ? 

Sylvia. Where ? 

MiLLY. To meet him at the station. 

Sylvia. No— I am not feeling well. 

MiLLY. I thought as much. {Goes up c.) 

Alvarez. Good-bye, Mrs. Merryman. 

MiLLY. I said good-bye, once 1 {Exit Q) ,,,,,, 

Royal. I thought you might be going to help Weyler 
run away from the Cubans, don't you know. {Turiis and 

sxits c ) 

Alvarez. Bah ! {Down c.) So he is coming back. 

Sylvia. Yes. 

Alvarez. And at once. 

Sylvia. Yes. This is the end. 

Alvarez. No— say rather the beginning. 

Sylvia. Of what ? ^, . . . 

Alvarez. Of life— for you, for me. There is a fair, 
bright world across the wide Atlantic, a world of sunshine 
of flowers, of love. Where the air is heavy with the rich 
perfume of orange and magnolia. Where no chilling frost 
comes, where winter is unknown— in sunny Spain, the land 
of poetry and love. Sylvia, will you remain here to wear 
your heart out in never-ending misery, or will you break 
the silken fetters that bind you and go forth with me, joyous, 
free, and happy ? ^. ... 

Sylvia, {after brief pause) No, I cannot. Those silken 
fetters are like bonds of steel which death alone can 

^^ Alvarez. And what has bound you ! Words--nothing 
but words— a senseless form— a one-sided contract, in which 
a man gains everything— a woman, nothing. 

Sylvia. You would convince me against my own judg- 
ment. I'm doing wrong even to listen. 

Alvarez. There is no wrong in self-preservation, i o 
remain here is death for you, despair for me. And the man 
who is responsible for all this— who has cast aside your 

Sylvia. There, there— say no more— I'll go ! Anywhere, 
anything to escape from this. Wait. {Sits at table and writes 



14 LOYAL FRIFND 

a few lines. Alvarez brings her cape from chair on which 
it was lying and places it over her shoulders) I am ready. 

Alvarez. And you shall never regret it. ( They go toward 
L. u, E.) 

Arthur, {off c.) Mamma! 

Sylvla. {pausing) Arthur, my child ! 

Alvarez, {quickly) You have no time to lose. Come ! 
{Exeunt slowly, l. u. e., Alvarez supporting her.) 

MiLLY. {off c.) Hurry up, hurry up ! " 

{Enter Milly, c.) 

MiLLY. Those men are the slowest mortals. {Calls) 
Sylvia, Sylvia ! Has slie actually hidden herself on her hus- 
band's return ? {Sees note) A note, in her handwriting? 
{Reads) " I have left him forever. Think of me as dead. 
Sylvia." She has gone with Alvarez ! Oh ! if I were only 
a man! 

{Ejiter Gilbert, c.) 

Gilbert. Home again, and mighty glad of it. Where 
is Sylvia ? 

Milly, {flurried) She — she is somewhere about the 
grounds. 

Gilbert. About the grounds ? You said she was ill. 

Milly. Yes, I know. {Aside) Shall I, dare I, tell him ? 

Gilbert. What is the matter, Milly? Is it anything 
serious ? 

Milly. {Hands him letter in silence) 

Gilbert, {reads note, sinks into chair beside table) Gone ! 

Milly. Poor fellow. 

{E?iter Royal, c.) 

Royal. Ah, I say — 

Milly. {voarningly) Keep still ! Did you see that Span- 
iard? 

Royal. Yes — legging it for his cottage at a 2.40 clip. 

Milly. Is your horse fast. 

Royal. He's a cyclone, 

Gilbert, {raises head) Dead ? Yes, dead to me forever. 

Milly. Don't say that, Gilbert. The poor girl is half 
demented through worry. We'll have her back here in 
half an hour, ( Up c, to Royal.) Come, 

Royal, Yes. {Aside) And this time I'm going to say 
something ! 

QUICK curtain 



ACT II 

SCENE — Cottage exterior in fifth grooves. See scene plot.. 
The cottage is set at r. v. E. with practicable door. Su?n- 
7ner landscape on flat. Up c. a circular lawti-tent with 
sides down, but draped back in front. Chair and stool 
within tent. Rustic chair r. front. Rustic bench \^. front. 
Time, morning. Lights full on. 

{Enter O'Kelly a7id Mrs. Griggins, l. u. e.) 

O'Kelly. What seems to be the maLLlier wid ye, Mrs. 
Griggins ? 

Mrs. Griggins. Matther enough. It's little Arthur, 
bless his purty face, that is tuk sick all av a suddin loike. 

O'Kelly. Sick is it ? Since whin ? 

Mrs. Griggins. Half an hour ago. He fell an' hurted 
himsilf. I was cuttin' across lots afther the doctor whin I 
met Mr. Playford and Mrs. Milly drivin' loike a whirlwind. 
I tould thim, an' they said they'd drive around for him. 

O'Kelly. It's an angel in petticoats ye air, Mrs. Grig- 
gins. 

Mrs. Griggins. G'wan wid ye ! 

O'Kelly. I mane it. Mrs. Griggins — ahem ! — I — Mrs. 
Griggins ! 

Mrs. Griggins. That's me name. 

O'Kelly. I don't loike it. 

Mrs. Griggins. {bridling) Oh, indade ! 

O'Kelly. No, indade. Thare's another I like better. 

Mrs. Griggins. Yis — whisky. 

O'Kelly. No, {gushing) Birdie. 

Mrs. Griggins. {aside, giggles) He's calling me Birdie ! 

O'Kelly. But thare's another name wud suit ye betther 
nor that. 

Mrs. Griggins. An' what is it ? 

O'Kelly. It's — it's— it's — Mrs. O'Kelly. 

Mrs. Griggins. Oh! {Falls into his arms.) 

O'Kelly. Here ! Don't flop around like that — ye dear 
little darlin' ducky. 

Mrs. Griggins. This is so suddin. 

O'Kelly. Yis. {Aside) An' so bloody heavy. 

Mrs. Griggins. {stands erect) What ? 

O'Kelly. I mane me heart was so heavy — so heavy wid 
love for ye. 

15 



l6 A LOYAL FRIEND 

Mrs. Griggins. {pats him under chhi) Do ye really love 
yer little birdie ? Chirp, chirp, chirp ! 

O'Kelly. Better nor old rye. Chirrup, chirrup, chirrup ! 

Mrs. Griggins. Sh, now ! {Leans head on his shoulder^ 

O'Kelly. ** There's nothing half so swate in loife as 
love's young dream." {Rocks back and forth ofifeet.) 

Mrs. Griggins. {straightens up) We're forgetting all 
about poor little Artie. {Goes l.) Come along home ! 

O'Kelly. Sure! {Takes her hand) We'll fly, my birdie ; 
we'll fly ! ( They " skip " ^ l. i e. Note — Specialties may 
be introduced here previous to the last speech^ 

{Enter Monte from house. Carries dress-suit case, valise, 
and hat-box, which he places beside chair, r.) 

Monte. There, everything is packed as the seiior or- 
dered. His trunk has gone to the station, and I am to 
follow. It must be something very important that sends 
him flying about the country like this. I hope I haven't 
forgotten anything. I'll just take another look over the 
place to be sure. {Exits into housed 

Enter Milly, l. u. e. Crosses quickly and knocks at door) 

MiLLY. {repeats knock) Don't hide in there ! Come out 
if you're at home. {Kftocks) Do you hear me? Come 
out, I say ! 

{Enter Monte, fro?n house.) 

MiLLY. Where is he ? 

Monte. Who ? 

MiLLY. That Spaniard. 

Monte. Sefior Alvarez ? I don't know, madam. 

Milly. {pointing to valise, etc) Do those belong to 
him? 

Monte. Yes, madam. 

Milly. Then we are in time. Thank you, I won't de- 
tain you longer. (Monte bows and re-enters house. Royal 
enters, l. u. e.) We are ahead of him. He can't escape. 

Royal. So glad, I'm sure. Say, are you on the track of 
an escaped convict or a Royal Bengal tiger ? 

Milly. {in thought) No, no, no. 

Royal. Because you told me to drive like blazes— I 
mean I did drive that way — and you wouldn't let me say a 
word all the way here. I don't know what it all means, 
don't you know, and perhaps you don't want me to know. 
And if you don't you might say — 

Milly. Will — you — keep — still ! 



A LOYAL FRIEND 1 7 

Royal. Have you the toothache or something ? I can't 
help asking, though you do shut me up Uke an umbrella on 

a clear day. , t^ , t 

MiLLY. {tiirris to him) I beg your pardon, Royal. I was 
rude, I know ; but I am dreadfully worried. 

Royal. If it's some fellow, just say who and I'll punch 
his head. 

MiLLY. That may come later. Just at present I want 
you to stay right here. Don't move until I come back. 

Royal. But supposing you don't come back ? 

MiLLY. I'm only going to look for my sister. Now don't 
ask any questions. Remember ! Don't you budge ! {Exits 
quickly, R. 2 E.) , A T 

Royal, {looks around) Don't you budge. Am I to stay 
here until I take root and grow like a squash vine ? That's 
the most wonderful woman I ever saw. Always in a hurry. 
A tornado in petticoats. Thinks further in a minute than I 
can in two hours. As I've got to stay here, I may as well go 
into camp and be comfortable. {Goes up to tent, takes pipe 
from pocket— fills and lights it) Knew a fellow who stayed 
in one spot all night. Sat down on some liquid glue. 
Awfully stuck-up chap. {Goes into tent. Sings line, *' Tent- 
ing to-night on the old camp ground.") Wouldn't want to 
tent on an old camp ground. Apt to be malarious. 

{Enter Alvarez, l. u. e.) 
Alvarez. Success has crowned my efforts. She is 
mine at last. It took time and patience, but it was worth 
the effort. Having made the plunge, she cannot, she dare 
not retreat, and her husband, if he has any pride at all, will 
not' attempt to follow. And what if he does ? Withm one 
hour we shall be in New York. The steamer sails at noon, 
and once on the broad Atlantic, we are beyond pursuit. I 
left her at the old mill— it would not be wise to bring her here 
—and there I shall hasten to rejoin her. {About to eider 
house.) 

{E7iter MiLLY, hurriedly, l. u. e.) 

MiLLY. Stop ! {He turns) Where is she ? 
Alvarez. To whom do you— , . ,, , , 

MiLLY. Don't try to lie, you wretch! You snake! 
You — Spaniard ! 

Alvarez. Pardon me— madame seems excited. 
MiLLY. Excited! Excited! Oh-h ! {Stamps) 
Alvarez. May I offer you a glass of wine ? 
MiLLY. If you do I'll throw it in your face. 

2 



z8 



A LOYAL FRIEND 



The politeness of American ladies is most 
Where have you hid- 

. free 



Alvarez. 
remarkable. 

MiLLY. You sneering scoundrel ! 
den my sister ! 

Alvarez. I fail to see why I should tell you 

MiLLY. You have decoyed her from home. 

Alvarez. Pardon me again, but your sister 
moral agent. I have not decoyed her. 

MiLLY. That is false. My sister is foolish, romantic; 
and you, with your soft blandishments, your lying tales, 
have turned her head for a moment. 

Alvarez. You flatter me, madam. 

MiLLY. If I were a man I'd flatten you. 

Alvarez. Indeed ? 

MiLLY. With an honest American fist in your cowardly 
face. 

Alvarez. And the man who tried that would get some 
warm lead or cold steel in reply. 

MiLLY. Oh, I know you Spaniards and dagos are quick 
enough at stabbing a man in the back. {Crosses) 

Alvarez. You are a lady, and can say what you please. 
You are angry, and I forgive you. I will only say in my 
defense that I love your sister devotedly, and that in leav- 
ing her cold, unloving husband — 

MiLLY. Silence ! Gilbert Fanshaw is not cold nor un- 
loving. He is a true man — worth a thousand things like 
you. {Crosses.) 

Alvarez. {s?teering) Madame's language is so choice ! 

MiLLY. Oh, I am not stopping to pick and choose my 
words. You are not worth it. 

Alvarez. I regret that you hold me so lightly. Others 
have not always done so. 

MiLLY. Others may not have known you. 

Alvarez. And I don't know this Gilbert Fanshaw 
whom you esteem so highly. I have never seen the man. 
However, I am wasting valuable time, so pardon me if I 
appear rude in leaving you. {Goes, r.) 

MiLLY. One moment. {He pauses) You think you have 
my sister so thoroughly under your control that nothing 
can save her. But when I tell you that her child is ill, per- 
haps dying, even your vaunted power will fail. {Exit, l. 
u. e.) 

Alvarez. What an advantage women have over men. 
They can say whatever they please without fear or favor. 
She said a number of hard things, but I suppose I deserve 
it. No doubt it is a rascally thing to run away with another 



A LOYAL FRIEND ig 

man's wife. {Looks l.) She's there hke a sentry on guard. 
Means to follow mc, no doubt. Well, I have a speedy 
horse, and I think I can give my lady the slip. (Exit to 
house) 

RovAL. {coming from tent) But I don't think you will 
give me the slip. I suppose 1 should not have listened to 
what they were saying, but by Jove they got at it, thrust and 
parry, before I could open my mouth. That fellow ought 
to be kicked. Running away with a married woman when 
so many single women would run away with him ! I'll put 
a spoke in his wheel ; I'll drive over to the old mill and 
rescue iMrs. Fanshaw from the villain that still pursues her 
( Tunis L., looks off) Eh ? What's that ? Mrs. Merryman 
has collared my horse and is driving towards the station 
hke mad. Hi! Hi! ^to^\ {Waves hajidkerchief.) Stop! 
By Jove ! Here's a go. 

{Enter Alvarez /r^w house, followed by Monte.) 

Alvarez. {?iot seeing Royal) Carry these things to the 
station. 

Monte, {gathering up valise, etc.) Shall I await you 
there ? ^ 

Alvarez. Yes. 

Royal. Can I help ? 

Alvarez, {aside) The deuce I {Aloud) You here ? 

Royal. Can you doubt it ? 

Alvarez, {crosses l. with Monte, speakiiig to him in 
dumb show.) 

Royal, {aside) Good ! Thinks I know nothing about 
it. {Aloud) Not going to leave us .? 

Alvarez. I am very sorry, but I must. Some diplo- 
matic business requires my immediate presence in Wash- 
ington. 

Royal. Are you going to declare war against the United 
States ? 

Alvarez. {impatie?ttly) I hope so. 

Royal. Then we're done for. 

Alvarez. Very likely. If you will excuse me— 

Royal, {detaining him) Are you going to batter down 
New York the first thing? 

Alvarez. I don't know. If you will excuse— 

Royal, {detaining him) Excuse me, but if you are, I 
want to sell out. 

Alvarez. Sell what ? 

Royal. My interest in a peanut-stand. 

Alvarez. Ah, caramba ! 



20 A LOYAL FRIEND 

Royal. No — peanuts ! 

Alvarez. Good-bye ; I have just time to catch the 
train. 

Royal. Then I'll help you catch it. I'm going to Wash- 
ington myself. 

Alvarez, {aside) This fellow may suspect something. 
I'll try a game of bluff. {Aloud) Look here. You are an 
unmitigated nuisance. 

Royal. So glad, I'm sure. 

Alvarez. Do you know how we deal with such ? 

Royal. Stick 'em in the back. 

Alvarez. No ; we slap them in the face. 

Royal. That just suits me. {Takes off coat.) I maybe 
a d-darn fool, but I know how to fight. {Removes vest.) 

Alvarez. Another time. There is a lady approaching. 
{Aside) It's Sylvia ! Curse the luck ! She must not see us 
here. {Aloud) Get out of sight. You are not presentable. 
{Exits quickly into house.) 

Royal. I should say not. {Grabs coat and vest ; runs to 
house. Door is fastened) Hi there ! Let me in ! Hi ! 
{Runs quickly into tent, pulling the sides down) 

{Enter Sylvia, hurriedly, l. u. e. She is nervous and ex- 
cited) 

Sylvia. Waiting by the old mill, I heard passers-by say 
that my child, my Arthur, was dangerously ill. I cannot 
leave him. I cannot. I will not. I shall tell Raymon that 
for my child's sake he must never see me again. 

{Eiiter Alvarez.) 

Alvarez. He's gone at last. Sylvia ! 

Sylvia, {raises hand) Stop ! I have come to say fare- 
well. You must leave me and at once — at once and forever. 

Alvarez. Leave you ? What nonsense ! 

Sylvia. No. I have recovered my senses at last — in 
time, thank heaven, in time. 

Alvarez. What do you mean ? 

Sylvia. My child is ill ; I must go to him. 

Alvarez. I have heard that story. It is a wild fabrica- 
tion, made to frighten you. 

Sylvia. It is the truth. My instinct, my very soul, tells 
me that. {Starts l.) 

Alvarez. Where are you going ? 

Sylvia. To my child's bedside, where you dare not fol- 
low me ! {Both are l. c.) 

Alvarez. I dare follow you to the end of the world. 



A LOYAL FRIEND 21 

Do you think I would lose you thus for a whim, a phantasy ? 
No. VVe have gone too far — too far, 1 tell you. Conic with 
me now you must and shall. 

Sylvia. Not one step. I can see you now in your true 
light — cold, heartless, selfish. Go ! For I despise you as 
much as I hate myself 

Alvarez. You are nervous, excited. {She crosses to R.) 
Listen to me. You are compromised already. If I tell the 
story of your attempted flight, no power on earth can save 
you. 

Royal. {Down c, between them) And if you do I'll 
cowhide you out of your skin ! 

CURTAIN 



ACT III 

SCENE — A plain parlor in third grooves, with semi-tropical 
landscape backing in fifth grooves. See scene plot. 
Wide arch at c. Entrances R. and l., all hung with light 
drapery. Table and chairs R. and L. front. Pictures o?i 
easels. Lights all o?i. 

{Discover Gilbert seated at table, reading 7iewspaper. 
Efiter O'Kelly a?id Arthur, c.) 

O'Kelly. Thare, me b'y, your walk has done ye a power 
o' good. Ye luk fresh as a daisy afther a storm. 

Arthur. Are daisy's fresh, O'Kelly ? 

O'Kelly. Well, {rubs chin reflectively) I hov known 
some daisy's thot wor purty fresh. 

Arthur. That's your wife's name, isn't it ? 

O'Kelly. So she claims. 

Arthur. Is she fresh ? 

O'Kelly. No. The present Mrs. O'Kelly, formerly Mrs. 
Griggins, is not very fresh. 

Arthur, i^yiysteriously) Say ! 

O'Kelly. {some business) Hey ? 

Arthur. How old is she ? 

O'Kelly. I don't know. An' unless ye want to get yer 
head bruck don't ask her. Run along now. 

Arthur. I'll find out. {Exits, laugh i?ig, c.) 

Gilbert, {looking tip) Well, O'Kelly, how is your mar- 
ried life progressing ? 

O'Kelly. Koine sor, foine. 

Gilbert. Then you agree ? 

O'Kelly. Oh yis — that is — ginerally spakin' we do. Av 
coorse Mrs. O'Kelly, that was formerly Mrs. Griggins, has 
her ways an' I hov my ways, an' sometimes they get crass- 
ways. 

Gilbert. And then the fur flies ? 

O'Kelly. No, sor {rubs head), hair. 

Gilbert. You have come to Florida on a pleasure trip, 
I suppose. 

O'Kelly. Thot's the idea. Ye see, whin I left you an' 
tuck up thot contract I made a pot av money, an' Mrs. 
O'Kelly is tryin' to break the pot. 

Mrs. Griggins. {outside, c.) I'll foind him meself, niver 
ye moind. 

22 



A LOYAL FRIEND 



23 



O'Kelly. Tliere's her fog-horn. {O'osses.) Now, 
O'Kelly, moind yer eye. 

{Enter Mrs. Griggins, c, very loudly dressed.) 

Mrs. Griggins. O'Kelly, I've been luckin all over the 
State o' Floridy for ye. {Sees Gilbert) Ah, Mr. Fanshaw, 
I'm deloighted to see ye. (Gilbert rises and bows. She 
makes a very elaborate bow.) It's a pleasure to foind ye here. 
{Another bow.) Since I've gan into society I feel so much 
at home. {Bows, trips, and falls against O'Kelly.) Ye 
clumsy boneen ! Trip me up, will ye ! (Gilbert goes up r.) 

O'Kelly. Luk here, ye ould catamaran, I niver touched 
ye. 

Mrs. Griggins. Yes, ye did — ye know ye did. 

O'Kelly. No, I didn't. Ye can't step widout walkin' on 
yer own fate. 

Mrs. Griggins. Av I wasn't yer wife an' a rale born 
loidy, I'd crack yer jaw for ye. 

O'Kelly. Come outside, an' I'll give ye a chance to 
crack all ye plaze. 

Mrs. Griggins. Ah ! {They exit quarreling, c.) 

Gilbert. Quarrel and make up — that is their pro- 
gramme, and they will live happily through it all. No 
lingering doubts of each other's loyalty — no half-shadows 
of a would-be-forgotten past — no heart-hunger enchained 
by foolish pride ! {Sits l.) 

{Enter Milly, c.) 

Milly. Good-morning, Gilbert. {Sits r.) 

Gilbert, {gloomily) Good-morning. 

Milly. {same tone) Bow wow ! What's the matter ? 

Gilbert. A fit of the blues, I think. 

Milly. The blues ! In sunny Florida ! Drop that, or 
you'll be mobbed. 

Gilbert. By whom ? 

Milly. The real estate agents. They declare that 
Florida's climate is worth a thousand dollars an acre, and 
a cure for every known ill. 

Gilbert. Always bright and cheerful. You carry sun- 
shine with you wherever you go. 

Milly. And so I am always happy. 

Gilbert. I envy you. 

Milly. Don't. There is no excuse for it. 

Gilbert. Have I no reason ? 

Milly. None whatever. 

Gilbert. But my wife — 



^4 A Loyal friend 

MiLLY. Hush ! Your wife is a good, true woman. She 
is nervous — high strung — easily excited. She imagined that 
you were neglecting her, and in a moment of anger wrote 
that foolish letter saying that she had left you, a letter which 
really meant nothing. 

Gilbert. If that were all — 

MiLLY. All ? What more can there be ? Did she not 
return within an hour ? 

Gilbert. With whom did she leave ? 

MiLLY. With whom? Why — {slightly confused) with 
nobody. 

Gilbert, {slowly) Are you sure ? 

MiLLY. Is it possible — 

Gilbert. Yes. In her sleep I have heard her cry out, 
" No, no ; I cannot go witli you. I must return home." 
Then she would plead with some one to release her, and — 

MiLLY. And you — you — are jealous over that! A 
dream ; a figment of imagination ! You dear, stupid fel- 
low! 

Gilbert. Perhaps I am. But why does she appear so 
quiet, so reserved, ever since my return ? 

MiLLY. Because — 

Gilbert. Well ? 

MiLLY. A woman's reason. Isn't that enough ? 

Gilbert. No. 

MiLLY. Then I will tell you in confidence that your wife 
feels she has misjudged you, and deeply repents it. Your 
own coldness and unworthy doubts have discouraged her, 
and she is patiently waiting for you to make the first 
move. 

Gilbert. Is that true ? 

MiLLY. As gospel. 

Gilbert. My poor Sylvia, I will doubt her no more. 

MiLLY. There ! Now you are becoming sensible again. 
Keep on like that and you will soon become your old self 
once more — the dearest and best fellow in the world. 

Gilbert. Except Royal. 

MiLLY. Now you think you have said it. Royal ! He has 
forgotten my existence. 

Gilbert. Has he ? Read that. {Gives paper^ 

MiLLY. What on earth — {glmtces at paper. Reads 
aloud) "Royal Playford, Esq., the wealthy and eccentric 
globe-trotter, arrived yesterday from New York. It is said 
that he has been drawn southward by a magnetic attraction 
which few could resist." There's not a word of truth 
in it. 



A LOYAL FRIEND i$ 

{Enter Royal, c. d.) 

Royal. Oh, yes, there is. 

Gilbert. Royal, old fellow, I am glad to see you. 

Royal. Yas. {Shakes hands) So glad, you know. 
{Turns to Milly.) 

MiLLY, Thank you. {Tur?is away) 

Royal. Aren't you going to say " hello " to a fellow ; 

Milly. I am glad to see you. When are you going 
back? 

Royal. I wouldn't be too glad. It might bring on a fit 
of sickness. 

Gilbert. Royal — (Milly goes up.) 

Royal, {to Gilbert) I thought it would be warm down 
here, but it's awfully chilly. 

Gilbert, {goes up c. with Royal) Never mind, old fel- 
low. She'll thaw out directly. 

Royal. Yas. Lend me an overcoat, won't you ? 

Gilbert, {laughing) No. You'll find it warm enough 
soon. {Laughs and exits, c. d.) 

Royal, {aside) Wonder what I've been doing now ! 

Milly. So you arrived last night. 

Royal. Yas — 10.15. 

Milly. And immediately told a reporter all about me. 

Royal. You ? 

Milly. No, you. 

Royal. Never. I simpiy made inquiries where you and 
the others were to be found. 

Milly. You might have left me out of it. 

Royal. But I — don't you know — I came — I mean I 
didn't come — to see anybody — except somebody. {Aside) 
I will say something pretty soon, 

Milly. Then you came to see me. 

Royal. Yas. Ain't you glad ? I mean I am so glad — 
deuced glad, you know. 

Milly. Arid the paper is full of it. 

Royal. Eh ? Have they really got that in the paper ? 

Milly. Read that. {Gives paper tragically.) And re- 
member, it separates us forever. {Crosses) 

Royal, {reads) " Good-morning. Have you used Pears' 
soap ?" 

Milly. Stupid ! {Points to paragraph.) 

Royal, {reads item) It is the truth ; but, of course, I'll 
have to punch the fellow's head. 

Milly. Will you really do tliat for me ? 

Royal. Yas — anything you say ; let him punch my head 
if you prefer. 



2$ A LOYAL FRIEND 

MiLLY. You are very devoted — after leaving me for six 
months without a thought. 

Royal. But I have been thinking of you — day and night 
and other times, too. Sometimes I thought of you so much 
that I really forgot what I was thinking about. 

MiLLY. Poor fellow ! Where were you ? 

Royal. Across the pond. 

MiLLY. Tell me all about it. {They sit R. and L.) 

Royal. Didn't expect to go, you know ; but it happened 
this way. Our Spanish friend concluded to go home last 
summer, and I went with him to New York to see him off — 
sort of body-guard. Afraid he would give me the slip, so 
stayed beside him until we got to Liverpool, and never let up 
until I saw him safely in Madrid with a beautiful case of 
brain fever. Had to help nurse him through that, so got 
back, only to find you gone. 

{Enter Sylvia, r.) 

Sylvia. Mr. Playford — this is a pleasure. 

Royal. Yas. {Shaking ha?ids.) Knew you'd think so — 
er — mean — so glad, don't you know. 

Sylvia. Where have you been this age ? 

Royal. Why, I went over to — that is, I was looking 
after — yas — that is, I — er — exactly. 

MiLLY. {aside) Oh, dear ! {aloud). Don't you want to 
see our orange grove ? It is very pretty. 

Royal. Thank you. Excuse me, Mrs. Fanshaw. {Goes 
up with MiLLY.) Like anything pretty. That's why I like 
to look at — 

MiLLY. Who ? 

Royal. Pictures. Au revoir, Mrs. Fanshaw. {Exit with 
MiLLY, c.) 

Sylvia. Why was he so confused when I asked where 
he had been ? Can it be that he knows anything of Ray- 
mon ? The thought of that man, his very name, terrifies me. 
If he should ever meet Gilbert, Heaven knows what the re- 
sult might be. Yet why should I fear ? He went abroad, I 
know, and I have heard nothing from him for so long. No, 
no ; I must not give way to childish fears. 

Arthur. {Runs on, c.) Mamma, mamma ! There's a 
strange gentleman coming here. 

Sylvia. A strange gentleman ? What is he like ? 

Arthur. He is pale and thin ; but he's awfully nice. He 
gave me a whole dollar when I told him you were here. 

Sylvia, {agitated) Take it back at once, and remember 
that you must never again speak to strangers. 



A LOYAL FRIEND 2J 

{Enter Alvarez, c. d.) 

Alvarez. But I am no stranger. 

Sylvia, {terrified) Raymon ! 

Alvarez. You remember me, then? 

Sylvia, Yes. {aside to him) What do you want ? 

Alvarez, {aside) Send the child away. 

Sylvia. No, I will not. You dare say nothing to me 
that my child sliould not hear. 

Alvarez. But I may say something that you might not 
want the child's father to hear. 

Sylvia. What ? 

Alvarez. Be wise. {Crosses) 

Arthur. That is the gentleman, mamma. Must I give 
back the money ? 

Sylvia, {takes money) I'll do that. You shall have an- 
other. Run away now and play. 

Arthur. Yes, mamma. {Exits, c.) 

Sylvia. There is the money with which you bribed my 
child. {Gives money) Now, what have you to say to the 
child's mother ? 

Alvarez. Several things. 

Sylvia. Be brief, then. If my husband appears — 

Alvarez. There is no immediate danger. I waited 
until I saw him go into town. 

Sylvia. But he may return. 

Alvarez. And what if he does ? We have never met, 
and I doubt that he has ever heard my name. 

Sylvia. I wish that I could say as much. 

Alvarez. Have I grown repugnant to you ? 

Sylvia. Yes. 

Alvarez. Pardon me, but I don't believe it. 

Sylvia. Shall I say more ? Shall I tell you that my in- 
fatuation was a fancy, a whim, arising from mere pique, and 
forgotten long ago ? 

Alvarez. I should still doubt it. 

Sylvia. Then believe me when I say that I love my hus- 
band with all my heart ; that I loathe, despise the weakness 
that made me turn from him even in thought, for he is more 
to me than ten thousand men like you. {Crosses) 

Alvarez. And are you foolish enough to think that I 
will accept your words as final ? You deceive yourself 
greatly if you do. No, I tell you my love is my very life, 
my soul, my all. What do I care for the idle words that 
bind you to another. They are ropes of sand, that will 
fall apart of their own weight, now that I am again by your 
side. 



28 A LOYAL FRIEND 

Sylvia. Never. I have grown strong through my folly, 
and even your threats cannot frighten me. 

Alvarez. I make no threats. Would I be one to 
frighten or coerce the woman I love more than life itself? 
Your heart has not changed toward me, but you have 
simply fallen back into this dull, hopeless life, bound by 
imaginary chains, which I alone can sever. 

Sylvia, This chain, as you term it, is a golden bond, 
linked by love, which I would not break if I could. 

Alvarez. We shall see. In a short time you will 
awaken from this dream, and the love you had for me will 
be— 

Sylvia. Stop ! Your words are an insult. If my hus- 
band knew of this — 

Alvarez. There would probably he a quarrel, a duel if 
he had pluck enough to fight, and then I would kill him — 
yes, kill him ! 

Sylvia. No, no, no ! 

Gilbert {off c.) All right, old fellow. Don't mind 
me. 

Sylvia. My husband ! 

Alvarez. Ah, so he has returned. Present me as a 
friend, or take the consequences. 

{Eyiter Gilbert and Milly, c. d.) 

Gilbert. That's a good joke on Royal. He never — 
{Sees Alvarez) I beg pardon. 

Alvarez, {aside to Sylvia) Be quick. 

Sylvia. Gilbert, this is Setior Alvarez, a — a — 

Milly. {quickly) An acquaintance of mine, whom I am 
very, very glad to see. 

Gilbert. Glad to meet you Seiior. Any friend of Mrs. 
Merry man is always welcome. 

Alvarez. Thank you. I have heard so much of your 
wonderful Florida winters that I decided to pass a short 
season here. 

Gilbert. Then you are not disappointed ? 

Alvarez. Not in the least, I assure you. I have found 
it very attractive here. {Glances towards Sylvia.) Far 
more so than I hoped. 

Milly. {aside) If I were a man I'd break his neck. 

Gilbert. The climate here is really wonderful. Would 
you like to take a look over my place ? 

Alvarez. With pleasure. With your permission, ladies. 
{Bows and exits, c, with Gilbert, after pausing and laugh- 
ing at Milly.) 



A LOYAL FRIEND 29 

MiLLY. I really wonder why some things were created. 

Sylvia. What shall we do ? 

MiLLY. Do ? In the slang of the small boy, " You make 
me weary !" I thought you were done with that fellow — 
that you would never communicate with him — never speak 
to him again. Why have you broken your word? 

Sylvia, (sad/y) I did not break my word. 

MiLLY. Indeed ! Isn't he here ? Were you not talking 
to him ? 

Sylvia. But you see — 

MiLLY. To be sure I saw— him. I'm not blind. And to 
think you should dare introduce him to your husband, 
forcing me to lie that you might not betray yourself. 
Compelled to call that man my friend ! {Pause.) Why don't 
you say something ? Can't you see I'm dying for a quarrel ? 

Sylvia. He threatened to murder Gilbert if I told him 
anything. Oh, I'm so wretched ! {Sits, sobbmg) 

MiLLY. There, there, don't cry. We must get you out of 
this scrape somehow. It is safe to flirt with a fool, but it 
is dangerous to fool with a knave. That Spaniard means 
trouble unless we head him off. 

Sylvia. How can we ? 

MiLLY. Don't worry yourself. I expect that I shall have 
to set Royal at him again. Poor, dear fellow ! If anything 
happens to him I shall be doubly a widow, for I am certain 
that he intends to propose this time. I can tell by the way 
that he stands on one foot and looks at me. 

{Ejitej^ Royal and Gilbert, c. d.) 

Gilbert. It's a real pleasure to see you here, old fellow. 
I hope you will remain through the season. (Sylvia sits 
up R. c.) 

Royal. So glad, I'm sure. {Looks at Milly.) 

MiLLY. {aside) Anchored ! 

Royal. What do you do down here ? 

Milly. Eat and repent. 

Royal. Of eating ? 

Milly. No — of our sins. 

Royal. I wish you wouldn't say such things. 

Milly. Why not ? 

Royal. Because I ought to make a smart answer, and I 
don't know how. 

Gilbert. You should observe Milly's friend. He is 
sarcasm itself. 

Royal. He ? Who ? (Milly a7id Sylvia show agita- 
tion.) 



30 A LOYAL FRIEND 

Gilbert. Seiior Raymon Alvarez. 

Royal. The deuce ! 

Gilbert. Do you know him ? 

Royal. I ? Never. 

Milly. {aside, to Royal) Yes, you do. 

Royal. Er-yes — I recall him now. Saw him in Spain 
or somewhere. Perhaps it was in Jerusalem or {looks at 
Milly) or New Jersey! {aside) I'm getting foggy. 

Gilbert. You will be glad to meet an old friend — espe- 
cially one of Milly's friends. 

Royal. Yas. I'll be very glad. 

Gilbert. You will be at the reception at the " Ponce," 
to-night ? 

Royal. Yas. Will our dear friend be there ? 

Milly. Be quiet. 

Gilbert. No doubt of it. {Up c.) You may ask him, 
for here he comes. {Exits ivith Sylvia, c. to L.) 

Royal, {to Milly) What does it mean ? 

Milly. Never mind. 

Royal. But, I say — 

Milly. Be quiet! 

Royal. Can't you tell a fellow — 

Milly. Hold — your — tongue ! 

(^?^/^r Alvarez, c. d.,//w;/ r.) 

Alvarez. What ? Mr. Playford ? This is a surprise. 

Royal. Eh ? Yes. Where did you drop from .? 

Alvarez. Home. 

Royal. Going to New Orleans, I suppose. 

Alvarez. No. I think I shall remain here. 

Milly. {to Royal) Tell him no. 

Royal. Yas. I wouldn't if I were you. 

Alvarez. Why not ? 

Royal. It isn't healthy. 

Alvarez. You find it so. 

Royal. Yas. I'm an American — can stand any climate. 
But Florida is hard on foreigners. 

Alvarez. In what way ? 

Royal, Every way. Yellow fever, sassy niggers, rapa- 
cious landlords ! It's a deuce of a place. Besides, after I 
ran you out — I-er-mean you said you wouldn't make a fool 
of yourself after you — 

Milly. Stop ! 

Royal. {Pauses. Looks at hei^) But you know he 
really did say that — 

Alvarez, {quickly) Be silent. 



A LOYAL FRIEND 3I 

Royal. {Looks at him, then at Milly. Turns and 
walks, R.) 

Milly. Where are you going ? 

Royal. After a padlock for my tongue. {Exit, r.) 

Milly. {to Alvarez) The best thing for you — 

Alvarez. Yes. 

Milly. Is to leave here at once. 

Alvarez. How very odd ! 

Milly. If you have any conscience — 

Alvarez. I haven't. Conscience is an affliction of 
childhood. I outgrew it years ago. 

Milly. And you outgrew common decency, self-respect, 
truth, honor — everything prized by men, but wholly un- 
known to curs. {Crosses) 

Alvarez. Now you are becoming personal again. How 
sad it is that we should always quarrel. {Pause) Pleasant 
day, isn't it ? {Pause) Well {up, c), you may bear this in 
mind : I shall stay here until I see fit to go, and neither you 
nor your idiotic admirer can dislodge me. {Exit, c. D.) 

{Enter Royal, r.) 

' Royal. Shall I break his head ? 

Milly. I would like to break yours. 

Royal. All right. Everything goes. 

Milly. You make a mess of everything. Where are 
your brains ? 

Royal. How the d-deuce should I know ? 

Milly. You're smart enough — 

Royal. So glad I'm — 

Milly. But you do tangle up everything. 

Royal. Oh ! 

Milly. The way you talked to that fellow threw me into 
fits. 

Royal. I noticed that you seemed excited. 

Milly. Who wouldn't be ! At any moment I expected 
Gilbert to return, and then what would have happened ? 

Royal. That's a conundrum. Give it up. 

Milly. Good heavens! Can't you see? 

Royal, {bluntly) No, I can't. Ever since I entered this 
house I've been blind as a bat. If I open my mouth some- 
body says, Hush ! Be quiet ! Hold your tongue ! If I 
don't say a word I'm pitched into on that account. That 
fellow Alvarez bobs up here, and I'm told to run him out. 
I give him a jolly. All right. It doesn't go. All wrong. I 
pile on the agony, and get the deuce for it. I offer to break 



32 A LOYAL FRIEND 

his head. You offer to break mine. It may be all a joke, 
but, hang me, if I see it. 

MiLLY. You got rid of that fellow once. Do it again. 

Royal. It may not be so easy this time. 

MiLLY. No matter. If he remains here his attentions 
will be noticed, Gilbert may be forced into a quarrel, per- 
haps killed — for dueling is still possible down here — my 
sister will be compromised. You must send him away. 

Royal. That is all right enough in theory, but it may 
not go. I can't box him up and ship him to Madrid labeled 
" this side up with care." 

MiLLY. If he had any manhood about him — if he really 
did love my sister — he would leave her without a word. 

Royal. Don't you believe it. More a fellow loves, the 
closer he sticks. Leave without a word? A Webster's 
" Unabridged " couldn't make me leave you ! (Aside.) 
Whew! Now I have said it! (Crosses.) 

MiLLY. (/oo^s at him) Do you mean that ? 

Royal, (limply) Yes. 

MiLLY. (clasps hands behind back and walks over to him) 
Do you love me ? 

Royal, (very limp) Yas. 

MiLLY. And you want to marry me ? 

Royal, (limply) Yas. 

MiLLY. You do? 

Royal (positively) Oh, yas. 

MiLLY. Well, you can't. 

Royal, (wilts) Oh! 

MiLLY. So long as that wretch is in Florida. 

Royal. It's a go — mean he'll go. We may have a 
fight— 

MiLLY. Can you really fight ? 

Royal. Yes, I can. I may not be bright at seeing 
things, but I can make the average man see stars in one 
round. 

MiLLY. I mean a duel. 

Royal. Never had one ; can shoot, though. If he makes 
a stand of it I'll fetch him or he'll fetch me. 

MiLLY. I don't want you to get hurt. 

Royal. Killing doesn't hurt much if it's done quick. It's 
the thinking about it that uses a fellow up. (Goes up.) 
And I say, Milly, if I should be turned into an angel I shall 
leave you my property, and I want you to buy something. 

MiLLY. A beautiful monument. 

Royal. No — a gallon of tears. 

Milly. I'll cry my eyes out if anything happens to you. 



A LOYAL FRIEND 33 

Royal. Tlien you must care for me. 

MiLLY. Have you just found that out ? 

Royal. How was I to know ? You never said anything 
about it. 

MiLLY. Here comes Gilbert. Come along. 

Royal. Yas. ( They go, r.) Had I better kick Alvarez 
or punch his head ? 

Milly. Whichever you please — only don't get hurt your- 
self. {They exit, r. i e.) 

{E?tter Gilbert a7id Arthur, c.) 

Arthur. Papa, I don't like him. 

Gilbert. Whom do you mean, Artie ? 

Arthur. The dark man, he is the one that mamma 
went with the day you came home last summer. 

Gilbert, {surprised) What do you mean ? 

Arthur. He made her cry. Then she wrote a letter 
and went away with him.. But she came back, you know. 

Gilbert. {si?iks into seat) Merciful Heaven ! 

Arthur. What is it, papa ? 

Gilbert. Only a pain in my heart. There, there — it's 
nothing. Run along and play. {Arthur exits, l. i e.) At 
last I understand the meaning of that letter — of her strange 
actions — her cold, unloving manner. This scoundrel — her 
lover ! She would have fled with him had I not returned, 
and now that he is back again she would make her infamy 
complete. I have been a bUnd, unreasoning fool — trusting, 
pitying her and accusing myself. But to-night shall end it 
all. I shall expose her, and then — then I'll have a settle- 
ment with him. 

{Enter Sylvia, c.) 

Sylvia. Gilbert, are you ready ? 

Gilbert. Ready ? 

Sylvia. To go driving, 

Gilbert. No. And I should think, Sylvia, that you 
would prefer resting before the ball to-night. 

Sylvia. I shall not attend the ball. 

Gilbert. Oh, yes you will. It would not do to disap- 
point our friends — especially that excellent Senor Alvarez. 
{She turns away.) What is the matter ? You appear agi- 
tated. 

Sylvia. Don't ask me to attend that ball to-night. 

Gilbert. We have already accepted the invitation, 
therefore we shall go. 

Sylvia. If you knew — {Pauses co7ifused) 
3 



34 A LOYAL FRIEND 

Gilbert. Well ? 

Sylvia. Nothing. 

Gilbert. A wise conclusion. You seem troubled over 
something. Perhaps if you lie down for a time you'll feel 
better. 

Sylvia. Perhaps. {Goes, l.) I should tell him all, but I 
dare not, I dare not. {Exit, l. i e.) 

Gilbert, {goes, r.) Now let the game go on, and we 
shall see who holds the winning hand. {Exits, r. i e.) 

{E7iter Royal and Alvarez, c. d.) 

Royal. I say, old fellow — glad I met you. Want to have 
a serious talk. 

Alvarez. You astonish me. 

Royal. So glad, I'm sure. Sit down. (Alvarez sits") 
When I left you in Madrid you promised that you would 
not return to worry Mrs. Fanshaw. 

Alvarez. Well ? 

Royal. But you did return. 

Alvarez. Yes. 

Royal. Now I want you to go back. 

Alvarez. How very amusing, And by what right do 
you assume to order me about ? 

Royal. I am only asking you to go. 

Alvarez. Then by what right do you ask .? 

Royal. By the right of any decent man to protect a 
helpless woman. 

Alvarez. How very amusing. 

Royal. Say — don't make me lose my temper. I never 
lose my temper unless I get mad, and then I'm apt to raise 
a row. 

Alvarez, {as if amused) You alarm me. 

Royal. Mrs. Fanshaw will be my sister very soon, and 
I— 

Alvarez. And you are going to become a knight 
errant, eh, to rescue suffering divinity. 

Royal, {quietly) Will you leave here ? 

Alvarez. Not at the command of a donkey like you. 
( Turns away and lights cigar.) 

Royal. {Crosses a?td removes coat and cuffs.) 

MiLLY. {appears, c.) Royal ! 

Royal, {holds coat in front of himself ) 'S\i\ Get out. 

MiLLY. But, I say — 

Royal. Will you get out ! {She disappears?) 

Alvarez, {looks around) Going to retire ? 

Royal. No ; but you are. 



A LOYAL FRIEND 35 

Alvarez, {snccrifig) Astonishing! 

Royal. You've got me mad, and now I — {In a quick, 
forceful tone) Well, I'm done fooling. I've asked you to 
leave like a gentleman. Now if you don't go I'll kick you 
out like a dog. 

Alvarez, {rising) What ! You dare address me thus ! 

Royal. You have five seconds to get out. {Looks at 
watch. Is up c.) 

Alvarez, (draws dagger) Raise a hand to me and I'll 
kill you. 

Royal. {Spri?igs forwai'-d, guards blow with left arm, 
and kfiocks Alvarez dow?i with right fist) Not to-day, my 
boy. 

curtain 

{For second curtain Royal stands with coat held up before 
him, back of coat to audience, embrachig Milly with 7^ight 
arm, which is thrust through left sleeve.) 



ACT IV 

SCENE — Same as last. Time, eve7ii?ig. Handsome lamp^ 
lighted ; curtains drawn. 

{E7iter Gilbert a7id Royal, c. d.) 

Gilbert. So you have finally proposed to Milly. 

Royal. Yas — I guess I did. 

Gilbert. Guess ? Aren't you certain ? 

Royal. Not exactly. Whether I proposed or she pro- 
posed, or neither one proposed is more than I could swear 
to. But there's one thing I do know and that is we're en- 
gaged — and it's awfully jolly. ( They sit, r. a7id l.) 

Gilbert. I suppose you will enjoy the ball to-night ? 

Royal. Yes — but for one thing. 

Gilbert. Shoes hurt ? 

Royal. No. It hurts me to see you so glum. 

Gilbert. Glum ? 11 Why, man, I'm joy personified. 

Royal, {looks at him) You do look happy ! Now, as one 
of the family — a sort of second-hand brother — I want to 
give you some advice. Brace up. Go to the ball to-night 
as if nothing had happened, and all will be well. 

Gilbert. You seem positive. 

Royal. I'm certain ! I know it's a risky thing to 
mix up in a family fracas ; liable to get a broken head from 
both sides of the house. But, in this case, I'm going to 
chance it. 

Gilbert. Go ahead. 

Royal. You imagine that this fellow, Alvarez, has ex- 
erted some undue influence over Mrs. Fanshaw ; but I tell 
you, on my word of honor, that he has no more influence 
than a played-out politician. 

Gilbert. Yet he must have had some influence over 
her. Remember the letter she wrote. 

Royal. She was frightened into it. The fellow is a 
duelist, you know, and he compelled her to write that letter 
under a threat of jabbing you full of holes, filling you up 
with lead, and all that. Don't you see ? 

Gilbert. The cowardly cur ! And yet you introduced 
him into my house. 

Royal. But I squared accounts by kicking him out 
of it. 

Gilbert. When ? 

36 



A LOYAL FRIEND 37 

Royal. Half an hour ago ; and if that isn't enough, you 
can kick me out. 

Gilbert. I am much obhged to you, Royal, and if ever 
I can — 

Royal. Don't mention it. I rather enjoyed the exer- 
cise. 

Gilbert. Very well, then. (Rises) If you will excuse 
me — 

Royal. Going out ? 

Gilbert. Yes. I'm going to have a settlement with 
that Spaniard. 

Royal. He's settled already. Besides, if you should 
punch his head, it would only create a scandal, which you 
certainly want to avoid. Let the matter rest, I tell you, and 
go to the ball to-night. If our Spanish friend wants any 
pistol practice, I'll try to accommodate him. 

Gilbert. You ? 

Royal. Why not ? If I get popped over, I'll leave no 
family to mourn for me. A year or so from now it might 
be — er — ^you understand — I mean — lucky I'm not talking to 
Milly ! 

Gilbert. But Sylvia refuses to go. 

Royal. Then let her remain at home. 

Gilbert. My dear fellow if you could understand — 

Royal. I can. A man is judged by what he does — a 
woman by what she says. If your wife says " stay," she 
means " go," and the best way to have your way is to let her 
have hers. 

{Enter Milly and Sylvia, c. d.) 

Milly. Excellent! Excellent! Your epigrams are 
jumbled, but they ring right anyhow. All ready for the 
ball? 

Royal. Yas — but Mrs. Fanshaw isn't going. 

Sylvia. No, for I fear it would overtax my strength. 
But Gilbert has promised to go. 

Royal. That's good of him. 

Gilbert. Not at all. I am going to throw care to the 
winds to-night — dance, flirt, and perchance develop into the 
social knave that women so much admire. 

Milly. Now, Gilbert ! Don't make another speech like 
that, or people may think you've been drinking. 

Gilbert. They may think right before the night is over. 

Royal. Oh, no they won't ; for I shall stick to you like 
a shadow." 

Milly. So shall I — so you must be on your good be- 



3& A LOYAL FRIEND 

havior. ( To Sylvia.) Are you quite sure that you won't 
go ? (l. with Royal.) 

Sylvia. Yes, dear. 

MiLLY. Good-bye, then. {Exits, L., with Royal.) 

Sylvia. Good-bye. Are you going, Gilbert ? 

Gilbert. Certainly — you would not have me do other- 
wise ? 

Sylvia. No, and yet I wish you were not going ; that is, 
not to-night. 

Gilbert. Really? You have never objected to my 
going out before. 

Sylvia. Not in words, perhaps ; but — Oh, it would be 
useless to say anything more. {Crosses^ 

Gilbert. Why useless ? 

Sylvia. Because I — oh, you would not understand. 

Gilbert. Sylvia, there has a wall arisen between us, 
built through pride or weakness. Shall it go on, mounting 
higher and higher, until it separates our lives forever ? Or 
shall we demolish it here, to-night, and begin life again as 
in the old, bright days, when we both were happy in each 
other's love ? 

Sylvia, {turns to hini) Gilbert, my husband ! 

Gilbert, {embraces her) Sylvia! 

Sylvia. This makes me so happy, Gilbert — as if I had 
awakened from a long and terrible dream. But there — you 
must go now. 

Gilbert. Without you ? 

Sylvia. Yes — but you will return early. 

Gilbert. At the earliest moment. 

Royal, {appears, l.) Any time to-night, Gilbert. 

Gilbert. All right. (Royal exits) Good-bye, Sylvia. 
There, Royal is waiting. {Kisses her and exits, l.) 

Sylvia. Peace and joy at last ! At last ! 

{Enter O'Kelly and Mrs. Griggins, c. d.) 

O'Kelly. Good avening, Mrs. Fanshaw. Me an' me wife, 
formerly Mrs. Griggins, ye know, stopped in to ax wor ye 
going to the ball this avening ? 

Mrs. Griggins. I suppose ye don't care for the whirl av 
socierty, but we do. I've been teachin' O'Kelly how to 
waltz. Waltz; stand up an' show how well ye know. 
{Hums a tune and waltzes a few steps awkwardly) There ! 
Isn't that elegant, did ye iver see the like before now ? 

Sylvia, {laughing) I never did. 

O'Kelly. I knew ye'd say that, an I — 



A LOYAL FRIEND 39 

Mrs. Griggins. Come along, O'Kelly. We want to get 
the wort' av our money in tlie tickets we bought for the 
dance. Good avenin, Mrs. Fanshaw. {Exeunt, draggmg 
O'Kelly, l.) 

Sylvl\. They are happy — but no more so than I am to- 
night. And yet — I have a strange dread of impending evil. 
{Faint rumble of thunder) There is a storm coming. 
{Turns lamp down. Lights quarter down.) I'll go and sit 
with Artie. {Flash of lightyiing afid louder thunder.) I wish 
they had not gone — but, nonsense, there is nothing to fear. 
( Turns and meets Alvarez, who has entered, c. D.) Ray- 
mon ! Here again ! 

Alvarez. Don't be alarmed. 

Sylvia. What do you want ? 

Alvarez. Yourself. 

Sylvia. And you dare — 

Alvarez. I dare do anything for the woman I love. 

Sylvia. You disgrace the word in speaking it to me. 

Alvarez. You are unhappy here. 

Sylvia. No. I am happy to-night for the first time 
since your blighting shadow fell upon my life. 

Alvarez. I will waste no more words. You loved me 
once, you love me still. I am a Spaniard, I forget nothing. 
{Storm heard, but not too loud) There is a storm in my 
heart greater than that which rages in the wild night. You 
must go with me. I say you shall. 

{Enter Royal, c. d.) 

Royal. I say she won't. {Comes down and turns up 
lamp. Lights zip) Look here, Alvarez, I imagined you 
would come sneaking back, although I kicked you out 
once. Now you travel, or I'll hammer you into a jelly. 
(Alvarez is about to draw a knife, but is stopped by re- 
volver) You needn't mind drawing that knife, for I'd kill 
you before you could injure Mrs. Fanshaw. 

Sylvia. He wouldn't — 

Royal. Oh, yes, he would. 

Alvarez. Yes, gladly, rather than see her escape me. 
{Down L.) But look. Your husband is coming ; I see his 
carriage by the lightning's glare. Come with me quick, 
quick, or I will waylay and kill him. (Royal exits quickly, 
c. D.) Will you come ? 

Sylvia. No, no! {Clings to him) 

Alvarez. Then he dies ! {Flings her aside atid exits, l.) 

Sylvia, {after a patcse) Gilbert, Gilbert ! 



40 A LOYAL FRIEND 

(A shot is heard offi.. Sylvia si?iks on sofa, covering face 
with hands) 

Sylvia. He has killed him, killed him, killed him ! 
Gilbert. {enteri?tg quickly, l.) Sylvia ! 
Sylvia, {rising) Gilbert ! Are you hurt ? 
Gilbert. Not at all. Royal stopped him. 

{Enter Royal a7id Milly, c. d.) 

Sylvia. What did he do ? 

Royal. Winged a rascal in the dark. 

Gilbert, {goes r. with Sylvia) I'll thank you later, old 
fellow. 

Royal. I've repelled a Spanish invasion. 

Milly. And proved yourself a loyal friend. 

Royal, {goes up c. with Milly) Well, if everybody else 
is satisfied I am. {Kisses Milly.) Good night ! 

Milly. Good night. {Exits, c. d. to l.) 

Royal. Good night. {Exits, c. d. to r.) 



SLOW curtain 



) 




practical Elocution 

By J. W. Shoemaker, A. M. 

3CO pages 

Cloth, Leather Back, |i.3S 

This work is the outgrowth o! 

actual class=room experience, and i§ 

a practical, common-sense treatment 

of the whole subject. It is clear and 

concise, yet comprehensive, and ii 

absolutely free from the entangliEg 

tedimcahties that are so frequently found in books ©S 

this class. 

Conversation, which is the basis of all true Elocutioa, 
is regarded as embracing all the germs of speech and 
action. Prominent attention is therefore given to the 
cultivation of this the most common form of human ex^ 
pression. 

General principles and practical processes are pre^ 
sented for the cultivation of strength, purity, and flexi^ 
bility of Voice, for the improvement of distinctness and 
correctness in articulation, and for the development of 
Soul Power in delivery. 

The work includes a systematic treatment of Gesture 
in its several departments of position, facial expression, 
and bodily movement, a brief system of Gymnastics 
bearing upon vocal development and grace of move- 
ment, and also a chapter on Methods of Instruction, for 

teachers. 

Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt 

of price. 

The Penn Publishing Company 

023 Arch Street, Philadelphia 



SHOEIW 



mmi 



i^i »"S»ir604l>78 8 



rhe National School 

of Elocution and Oratory 



ODD FELLOWS' TEMPLE 

Broad and Cherry Streets 
Philadelphia 



PERSONS wishing: to obtain practical trainingf and 
artistic culture in Elocution and Oratory should 
attend this institution. 

It is the oldest chartered school of expression in 
America. 

Its students and graduates^ numberingf thousands, 
are to be found in all parts of this country and 
Canada, occupying: prominent positions as Public 
Readers, Teachers of Elocution, Clergymen, Lecturers, 
Actors, etc. 

Instruction thorougfh in all that pertains to a well- 
rounded elocutionary education. 

A corps of eminent teachers, each a specialist in his 
own department. All facilities first-class. 

In addition to the regular Day Classes there are 
special Evening and Saturday courses. 

Special Summer course. Private instruction. Grad- 
uating courses one and two years. Illustrated catalogue 
giving full information sent on application. 

Principals / MRS. J. W. SHOEMAKER 

I GEORGE B. HYNSON, ESQ. 



